Iris Read, 79, of Royal Wootton Bassett, spent her early life in Purton, where she was born into the large Godwin family in 1935.

Iris and her husband, the late Bert Read, also from Purton, began their courtship after he returned from National Service.

Mrs Read’s height contrasted with Mr Read’s 6ft 4ins and he used to call her Nip (short for Nipper).

They were married on March 16, 1956, and lived at Coxstalls, Wootton Bassett before moving to Queen’s Road.

Their eldest child, June, was born in 1957; Carol in 1958, Diane in 1959 and Robert in 1961.

Bert worked for British Rail, and the family enjoyed travelling by train for holidays in Blackpool, visits to an aunt in Morecambe and happy times in a caravan in Weymouth.

Mr Read relished his annual trip to the races, while Mrs Read organised treats for the rest of the family, with jolly get-togethers at home.

After the children started school, she worked at the Egg Depot, and was a home help and school cleaner. Later, she joined daughter Diane at work in Dr Bliss’s surgery.

At Mrs Read’s funeral at St Bartholomew’s Church, on November 12, the Rev Jemma Sander-Heys spoke of the contented lifestyle that Mr and Mrs Read shared with their family.

In their younger days both played darts for the Borough Arms, and Mrs Read continued to enjoy bingo.

Mr Read died in 2006, and in recent years Mrs Read had various health problems. However, she liked socialising with family and friends and gained great joy from her growing family. In addition to four children and seven grandchildren she had nine great-grandchildren, and she was happy that two more are due to be born in 2015.

Mrs Read, a staunch Royalist, was thrilled when Wootton Bassett was awarded its Royal title. She attended the repatriations regularly, in all weathers, as her personal expression of respect. She had many friends and is sorely missed.

The service was followed by cremation at Kingsdown. Mourners were welcomed for refreshments and further reminiscences at Queen’s Road.

Memorial cheques for The British Heart Foundation may be sent c/o Maslin Funeral Service, 118a High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett SN4 7AU.